2020 YAMAHA NIKEN GT Owners Manual

Operation and important ri din g points
5-3
5
EAU84370
Shiftin gShifting gears lets you control the
amount of engine power available for
starting off, accelerating, climbing hills,
etc.
The gear positions are shown in the il-
lustration.TIPTo shift the transmission into the
neutral position ( ), press the
shift pedal down repeatedly until it
reaches the end of its travel, and
then slightly raise it. 
This model is equipped with a
quick shift system. (See page
3-20.)
NOTICE
ECA23990
Even with the transmission in
the neutral position, do not
coast for lon g period s of time
with the eng ine off, and d o not
tow the motorcycle for lon g d is-
tances. The transmission is
properly lu bricated only when
the en gine is runnin g. Ina de-
quate lu brication may damag e
the transmission.
 Except when upshiftin g with the
quick shift system, always use
the clutch while chan gin g g ears
to avoi d d amag ing the en gine,
transmission, an d drive train,
which are not desi gne d to with-
stan d the shock of forced shift-
in g.
EAU85370
To start out an d accelerate
1. Pull the clutch lever to disengage the clutch. 2. Shift the transmission into first
gear. The neutral indicator light
should go out.
3. Open the throttle gradually, and at the same time, release the clutch
lever slowly.
4. After starting out, close the throt- tle, and at the same time, quickly
pull the clutch lever in.
5. Shift the transmission into second gear. (Make sure not to shift the
transmission into the neutral posi-
tion.)
6. Open the throttle part way and gradually release the clutch lever.
7. Follow the same procedure when shifting to the next higher gear.
EAU85380
To decelerate
1. Release the throttle and apply both the front and the rear brakes
smoothly to slow the motorcycle.
2. As the vehicle decelerates, shift to a lower gear.
1. Gear positions
2. Shift pedal
2
1
1
N 2 3 4
5
6
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Operation and important rid ing points
5-4
5 3. When the engine is about to stall
or runs roughly, pull the clutch le-
ver in, use the brakes to slow the
motorcycle, and continue to
downshift as necessary.
4. Once the motorcycle has stopped, the transmission can be
shifted into the neutral position.
The neutral indicator light should
come on and then the clutch lever
can be released.
WARNING
EWA17380
Improper brakin g can cause
loss of control or traction. Al-
ways use b oth brakes an d apply
them smoothly.
 Make sure that the motorcycle
and the en gine have sufficiently
slowe d b efore shiftin g to a low-
er gear. En gag in g a lower gear
when the vehicle or en gine
speed is too hi gh coul d make
the rear wheel lose traction or
the en gine to over-rev. This
coul d cause loss of control, an acci
dent an d injury. It coul d also
cause en gine or drive train dam-
a g e.
EAU16811
Tips for re ducin g fuel con-
sumptionFuel consumption depends largely on
your riding style. Consider the follow-
ing tips to reduce fuel consumption:
 Shift up swiftly, and avoid high en-
gine speeds during acceleration.
 Do not rev the engine while shift-
ing down, and avoid high engine
speeds with no load on the en-
gine.
 Turn the engine off instead of let-
ting it idle for an extended length
of time (e.g., in traffic jams, at traf-
fic lights or at railroad crossings).
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Operation and important ri din g points
5-5
5
EAU17214
Parkin gWhen parking, stop the engine, and
then remove the key from the main
switch.
WARNING
EWA10312
Since the en gine an d exhaust
system can b ecome very hot,
park in a place where pe destri-
ans or chil dren are not likely to
touch them an d b e burne d.
 Do not park on a slope or on soft
groun d, otherwise the vehicle
may overturn, increasin g the
risk of a fuel leak an d fire.
 Do not park near grass or other
flamma ble materials which
mi ght catch fire.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-1
6
EAU17246
Periodic inspection, adjustment, and
lubrication will keep your vehicle in the
safest and most efficient condition
possible. Safety is an obligation of the
vehicle owner/operator. The most im-
portant points of vehicle inspection,
adjustment, and lubrication are ex-
plained on the following pages.
The intervals given in the periodic
maintenance charts should be simply
considered as a general guide under
normal riding conditions. However, de-
pending on the weather, terrain, geo-
graphical location, and individual use,
the maintenance intervals may need to
be shortened.
WARNING
EWA10322
Failure to properly maintain the vehi-
cle or performin g maintenance ac-
tivities incorrectly may increase
your risk of injury or death durin g
service or while usin g the vehicle. If
you are not familiar with vehicle ser-
vice, have a Yamaha d ealer perform
service.
WARNING
EWA15123
Turn off the en gine when performin g
maintenance unless otherwise
specified .
 A runnin g en gine has movin g
parts that can catch on body
parts or clothin g an d electrical
parts that can cause shocks or
fires.
 Runnin g the en gine while ser-
vicin g can lead to eye injury,
b urns, fire, or car bon monoxi de
poisonin g – possi bly lea din g to
d eath. See pag e 1-3 for more in-
formation a bout car bon monox-
i d e.
WARNING
EWA15461
Brake discs, calipers, drums, and
linin gs can b ecome very hot d uring
use. To avoi d possi ble burns, let
b rake components cool before
touchin g them.
EAU17303
Emission controls not only function to
ensure cleaner air, but are also vital to
proper engine operation and maximum
performance. In the following periodic
maintenance charts, the services relat-
ed to emissions control are grouped
separately. These services require
specialized data, knowledge, and
equipment. Maintenance, replace-
ment, or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be per-
formed by any repair establishment or
individual that is certified (if applicable).
Yamaha dealers are trained and equipped to perform these particular
services.
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-2
6
EAU85230
Tool kitThe tool kit is in the location shown.
The information included in this manual
and the tools provided in the tool kit are
intended to assist you in the perfor-
mance of preventive maintenance and
minor repairs. However, a torque
wrench and other tools are necessary
to perform certain maintenance work
correctly.TIPIf you do not have the tools or experi-
ence required for a particular job, have
your Yamaha dealer perform it for you.1. Tool kit
1
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-3
6
EAU71033
Perio dic maintenance chartsTIP Items marked with an asterisk should be performed by your Yamaha dealer because these items require special tools,
data, and technical skills.
 From 50000 km (30000 mi), repeat the maintenance intervals starting from 10000 km (6000 mi).
 The annual checks must be performe d every year, except if a distance- based maintenance is performe d in-
stea d.
EAU71051
Perio dic maintenance chart for the emission control systemNO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
1 *Fuel line • Check fuel hoses for cracks or
damage.
• Replace if necessary. √√√√√
2 *Spark plu gs • Check condition.
• Adjust gap and clean.
√√
• Replace. √√
3 *Valve clearance • Check and adjust. Every 40000 km (24000 mi)
4 *Fuel injection • Check engine idle speed.
√√√√√√
• Check and adjust synchroniza- tion. √√√√√
5 *Exhaust system • Check for leakage.
• Tighten if necessary.
• Replace gaskets if necessary. √√√√√
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-4
6
6 *Evaporative emis-
sion control system • Check control system for dam-
age.
• Replace if necessary. √√
7 *Air in
duction sys-
tem • Check the air cut-off valve, reed
valve, and hose for damage.
• Replace any damaged parts if necessary. √√√√√
NO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB
ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
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Periodic maintenance an d a djustment
6-5
6
EAU71353
General maintenance an d lu brication chartNO. ITEM CHECK OR MAINTENANCE JOB ODOMETER READING
ANNUAL
CHECK
1000 km
(600 mi) 10000 km
(6000 mi) 20000 km
(12000 mi) 30000 km
(18000 mi) 40000 km
(24000 mi)
1 *Dia
gnostic system
check • Perform dynamic inspection us-
ing Yamaha diagnostic tool.
• Check the error codes. √√√√√√
2 *Air filter element • Replace. Every 40000 km (24000 mi)
3Clutch • Check operation.
•Adjust. √√√√√
4 *Front brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
5 *Rear brake • Check operation, fluid level, and
for fluid leakage.
• Replace brake pads if necessary. √√√√√√
6 *Brake hoses • Check for cracks or damage.
√√√√√
• Replace. Every 4 years
7 *Brake flui d • Change. Every 2 years
8 *Wheels • Check runout and for damage.
• Replace if necessary.
√√√√
• Balance the front wheels. Whenever the tires or wheels have been changed or replaced.
9 *Tires • Check tread depth and for dam-
age.
• Replace if necessary.
• Check air pressure.
• Correct if necessary. √√√√√
10 *Wheel bearin gs • Check bearing for looseness or
damage. √√√√
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